The School was founded in 1866 by the Revd J J Kendon. It is a Charitable Trust administered by a Board of Governors, a member of the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools.
Bethany has 369 pupils, aged 11 to 18. Approximately 25% board on either a weekly or termly basis, with a varied weekend programme of activities available for termly boarders. A generous staff to pupil ratio of 1:8 ensures small classes and high-quality pastoral care. Individuals are encouraged to develop their potential to the full in academic and all other respects. Most teaching takes place in modern classroom blocks, the result of an ongoing building development programme. Development in ICT has been a priority at Bethany: a wireless network enables pupils from Year 7 upwards to use laptops across the curriculum.
The Orchard offers single study-bedrooms with en-suite facilities, study rooms for day pupils and communal facilities. Recent additions to the School include a brand-new, six-lane, 25-metre indoor swimming pool, a state-of-the-art fitness suite and a new Sixth Form centre as an extension of The Orchard and an extension to the outdoor events facility. Our state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre opened in September 2024.
Situation. The School occupies a scenic, 60-acre, rural campus in the heart of the Kent countryside, easily accessible from most parts of South-East England: an hour from Charing Cross (Marden Station) and easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow Airports, the Channel ports and Ashford and Ebbsfleet International railway stations.
Admission. The normal age of entry is at 11 or 13 by the School’s Entrance Assessment and at Sixth Form level based on predicted GCSE grades, but the School welcomes pupils to the Bethany community at other stages if places are available.
Fees per term (2024-2025). All of the fees and supplemental charges below are inclusive of VAT where applicable, and unless otherwise stated. In line with government legislation, chargeable VAT has been imposed for all independent schools in the UK with effect from 1 January 2025. Fees include: lunches, tuition, textbooks, compulsory stationery, School magazines, house funds, Friends of Bethany School subscriptions and basic laundry (for boarders only).
Year 7: £7,920 (day), £12,145 (weekly boarding), £13,490 (full boarding); Year 8: £8,190 (day), £12,425 (weekly boarding), £13,385 (full boarding); Years 9–13: £8,750 (day), £13,415 (weekly boarding), £15,185 (full boarding). Dyslexia and Learning Support: £930 (full time), £460 (part time); English as an Additional Language Support: £860 (Years 7–11), £425 (Years 12–13).
Scholarships and bursaries. Academic Scholarships are awarded based on performance in the Entrance Examination. Scholarships are also available in Performing Arts, Creative Arts and Sport at the main points of entry, which are Years 7 and 9 and into the Sixth Form. The Christopher Jackson Scholarship is available for pupils who attend state primary schools local to Bethany, are particularly able and have a capacity for academic excellence. Means-tested bursaries are also available. Children of members of HM Forces and the Clergy receive a 10% fee discount.
Curriculum. The broad curriculum is based on the National Curriculum. The full range of subjects is taught including Information Technology from 11+ and Spanish from 13+. We have also introduced Mandarin at Year 7 and GCSE Dance. There are 26 A level subjects, including Economics, Business Studies, Spanish, Politics, Music, Photography, Politics, Textiles, Drama and Media Studies. We also offer BTECS and Applied A levels in Business Studies, Finance, PE and Music. Almost all Sixth Form leavers proceed to their first-choice degree courses at University.
Dyslexia. The Dyslexia and Learning Support department, which enjoys an international reputation, has been supporting pupils at Bethany for over 30 years.
Games and activities. The School offers a wide range of sporting opportunities and enjoys an extensive fixture list, having established a long tradition of inter-school Sport. Facilities include a Sports Centre, climbing wall, fitness room, three squash courts, tennis courts, an indoor swimming pool and a floodlit Astroturf. There is also a wide range of clubs and activities. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme is well established at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.
Music. There are wide-ranging opportunities for instrumental tuition. There are sectional instrumental groups including: a Symphony Orchestra, Rock School, Jazz Band, Concert Band, Brass Consort and a Choir, all making use of the fine Music School with its recording studio and music technology area.
Careers. The School is a member of Inspiring Futures, and careers education is an important part of the Curriculum. Sixth Form pupils take part in the Coursefinder Analysis Scheme and receive detailed advice regarding Higher Education and Gap Year opportunities.
Chapel. The Chapel, built in 1878, is the focal point of School life. Bethany welcomes children of all faiths or none, and together they attend Chapel twice weekly.
Charitable status. Bethany School Limited is a Registered Charity, number 307937.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mr Jonathan Fenn, LLB (Chair)
Mr Andrew Cunningham (Vice Chair)
Mr Keith Buckland
Mr Roger Clark
Mrs Elizabeth Connell, BA, LLB
Mr Martin Kellett
Mr Nigel Kimber, BSc, FCA
Mrs Gabby Power
Mrs Lindsay Roberts, BEd Hons, NPQH, FCCT
Dr Alexandra Scott
Mr Dan Shaw, BA, LLB
(To contact any member of the Governing Body please use the following address: c/o Bethany School, Curtisden Green, Goudhurst, Kent TN17 1LB Tel: 01580 211273)
Senior Staff:
Headmaster: Mr Francie Healy, BSc, HDipEd, NPQ
Bursar: Mrs Clare Morey, BA Hons, ACA
Deputy Head Academic: Mrs Emily Hill, BA Hons, PGCE (English)
Deputy Head Pastoral: Mr Alan Sturrock, BEd Hons (DSL, Games, Geography)
Director of HR: Miss Toni Carter, Chartered MCIPD
Director of Marketing and Admissions: Mrs Wendy Owens
Teaching and House Staff:
Mr Jack Allsopp (Religious Studies)
Mr Ritchie Beckham (English and Media)
Mr Dariius Bell (English, Media and History, Head of Next Steps (Careers, Study Skills & Work Experience))
Mr Alex Bolton (Director of Performing Arts, Head of Key Stage 4)
Mrs Helen Burns (Learning Support, Exams Access Coordinator)
Mrs Nicola Clough (Art and Textiles, Assistant Head of Key Stage 4, Head of Kiplings)
Mr Richard Clough (History, Politics, Head of Year 7)
Mr Cliff Cooper (Director of Extra Curricular Activities, Teacher of Maths)
Mr Simon Davies (Head of History & Politics, Housemaster The Orchard)
Mr Simon Duff (Head of Business Economics, Second Assistant Housemaster The Orchard, Head of 6th Form)
Mrs Emma Duncan (Learning Support Teacher)
Mr Anton Evans (Head of Geography, Assistant Head of Year 8 & 9)
Miss Mathilda Fuller (Mathematics, Second Assistant Housemistress The Orchard)
Mrs Sarah Fuller (Speech Pathology and Therapy, Learning Support Assistant and Exam Access Arrangements)
Mr Alejandro Garcia (Spanish)
Mr Jeremy Harley (Assistant Director of Performing Arts)
Mrs Frances Healy (English)
Mr Tom Henson (Games, First Assistant Mount House)
Ms Emily Iles (Food & Nutrition Studies)
Mr Anthony Khan (Business Studies, Head of Student Enterprise)
Miss Sam King (Head of Girls’ Sport, Head of Year 8 & 9)
Mr Adam Manktelow (Head of Maths)
Mrs Gemma Mewett (Teaching Assistant)
Mr Marcus Norman (Head of Design & Technology)
Dr Clare Notley (Lead Teacher of Biology)
Mr Matt Payne (Director of Sport)
Mrs Rachael Payne (Lead Teacher of Dance)
Mr Devin Reilly (Science, Competitive House Coordinator)
Ms Nicola Rendall-Jones (Head of EAL)
Mr Ceri Roberts (Geography)
Mrs Caroline Rowell (Teaching Assistant)
Ms Debby Sanjaya (Lead Teacher for A Level Maths)
Mrs Carly Shapland (Head of English and Media)
Mrs Sarah Smart (Head of Art)
Mrs Anne-Marie Sturrock (Head of DLS and SENDCO)
Mr Mike Thomas (Head of Science, Lead Teacher of Physics, Second Assistant Housemaster Mount)
Mr James Vickerman (Lead Teacher of Chemistry)
Mr Michael Watts (Head of Computer Science)
Ms Laura Williams (Music)
Mr Michael Willis (Head of Modern Foreign Languages)
Ms Leaf Ye Zhao (Maths)
Key Support Staff:
Registrar: Mrs Sally Martorell
PA to Headmaster: Mrs Andrea Discombe
Finance Manager: Miss Hayley Rigg
Marketing Assistant: Mrs Sara Cooper
Communications Officer: Sam Harris
School Receptionists: Mrs Amy Mewse and Miss Roxie Day
Housemaster, The Mount: Mr Jamie Forde
Data Manager: Ms Katja Thornton
Exams Officer: Mrs Sarah Schuller
Librarian and Archivist: Mrs Claire Rendell
Senior Sister, Wellness Centre: Ms Rhiannon Eyre